ELLISVILLE– If you asked Terica Chapman, she’d say her passion is science. However, the High School Equivalency (HSE) instructor at Jones College’s Jasper County Center in Bay Springs is actually passionate about teaching. In her first year, she is proud to have 18 students which is the most in years to complete the program and earn their HSE diplomas.
“Jordyn Jones is a first-generation graduate that completed the program and enlisted in the Army. He is currently in Tampa, Florida, completing basic training. A father and daughter, Daniel and Adrienne Hampton also completed their HSE together within two weeks of each other and I’ve had students who are thriving that were bullied in school, and are now graduating,” shared Chapman. “I truly could not have had the success that I have had if it were not for Jasper County Center Dean Grant Crowder, the staff at the Jasper County Center, Integrated Pathways Director, Wendy Evans, and mentor teachers, Janet Tucker and Tammie Griffith. I am so proud of the progress that me and my students were able to make together this past year.”
Connecting with the science department on Jones College’s main campus in Ellisville has also helped her to bring learning to life. Assisting Chapman’s students to thrive in the classroom was Dean of Science and Technology, Eric Shows. He donated science equipment and specimens to create the first science lab at the Jasper County Center, allowing Chapman to provide more hands-on lessons.
“I have noticed an increase in scores since the science lab was established and we’ve had a lot of gains throughout the year,” said Chapman. “I try to incorporate hands-on-learning exercises in every subject. That is something that I had in my teacher-toolbox from teaching K-12 in the public schools. If you give students something tangible, they can touch and see, they tend to learn more.”
Seven-teen year old Dawson Knotts from Louin is one of Chapman’s students whose love for science and helping others has manifested into a career in health care. While caring for his grandmother, his passion for nursing became more evident and with Chapman’s help, Knotts has not only earned his HSE diploma, but he has also spent the last month preparing for the ACT test. He is now planning to take some basic college courses and apply for the Practical Nursing program when he turns 18, next fall.
“The HSE program and Ms. Chapman have helped me more than actual high school because everything in high school was on the computer,” shared Knotts. “I got more one-on-one experience here and it’s like a family here; everyone is accepting of everyone. I’m more comfortable in the classroom and I feel safe and it’s probably why I’m doing better here because I love learning”
This year’s record number of HSE graduates is only the beginning of what Chapman said she hopes to build upon while teaching each year in Bay Springs. The innovative instructor said she plans to continue building strong relationships using creative teaching methods to foster a growth mindset and continued success.
She added, “As I resume my journey as an educator this upcoming year at Jones College’s Jasper County Center, I remain committed to these principles, always striving to better serve my students and help them reach their full potential.”
Of the total 150 HSE students who have successfully completed the HSE program through all of Jones College’s various sites, 107 students plan to participate in the special, HSE Commencement Ceremony held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, at the M.P. Bush Auditorium on the Jones College campus in Ellisville. Many of these students are also receiving scholarships to continue their education at Jones College in the fall. For more information about the Adult Education or other Integrated Pathways Programs, contact Wendy Evans at 601-477-2228 or email, wendy.evans@jcjc.edu or on the website, https://www.jcjc.edu/workforce/adult-learning/